Compiled by Chris O’Connor and Rebecca Holman

On the side

Gong for Asian HIV
charity founder
Shivananda Khan, founder of HIV charity the Naz Foundation International, was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s honours list. Kahn was recognised for his sexual health support work with gay South Asian communities, helping young homeless people and for founding the British network for gay men from Indian and neighbouring countries. Naz Foundation provides information and advice that takes account of the cultural, religious and
language differences of Asian communities.

‘HIV should be reclassified’ to free up treatment
A group of GPs have suggested HIV be reclassified as a communicable disease, like TB, to enable all UK patients, regardless of their immigration status, to receive free healthcare.
The idea is among many submitted to the health select committee into HIV and Aids and sexual health policy inquiry. Reclassification would make HIV a public health issue and therefore exempt of charges.
New rules introduced in April 2004 means NHS trusts can now charge long-stay visitors, people, without UK documentation and anyone refused asylum or leave to stay. Diagnosis and follow up counselling are free but
emergency care is only given if the situation is life threatening. THT said there was mounting evidence hospitals had tried to charge HIV positive pregnant women and some were employing debt collectors to pursue debts.

Lothian goes to Africa
Scotland’s first minister Jack McConnell is planning a visit to Africa in advance of the next G8 summit to be held at Gleneagles, Scotland. McConnell is looking to strengthen links between a number of African countries and health boards in Scotland. He said NHS Lothian had an immense track record in dealing with HIV and Aids, would like to share some of that education with countries that need help.

Study highlights transmission ‘clusters’
High viral load following primary infection is an important driver of the continuing spread of HIV, a study has found. Increasing the number of people who are diagnosed during primary infection could help to reduce the spread of HIV. Researchers in Brighton have been able to link viruses in ‘transmission clusters,’ that is sexual networks of individuals connected by infection.
Between 1999 and 2003, primary HIV infection was identified in 103 people living in Brighton, the majority gay men. HIV from 35 of the 103 people could be grouped into 15 different transmission clusters, 12 demonstrating transmission from one individual to another, and one cluster containing five individuals with almost identical virus.

Super-bug outbreak blamed on cuts in hospital cleaners
Public sector union Unison has blamed the MRSA super-bug epidemic in NHS hospitals on the huge reduction in hospital cleaners since competitive tendering for cleaning contracts was introduced.
Research commissioned by the union shows the number of cleaning staff has almost halved in 20 years - since the private sector was first allowed to compete for the work. Union general secretary Reg Prentis said infections rates had soared while staff numbers had fallen.

Cybermap of STI hotspots
A University of Bath lecturer has produced a new map that tracks rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Dr Maged Boulos has produced the cybermap based on record growing rates of STIs in London over seven years and hopes that treatments and prevention services could improve as a result. The study, published in the International Journal of Health Geographics, allows comparisons of rates in an area for a given year and should allow health planners to instantly spot trends and plan future health promotion campaigns. To view the cybermap, visit: www.ijhealthgeographics.com

Increase in HIV among Gay men in Denmark
Denmark is facing the highest rate of HIV infection amongst gay and bisexual men for 12 years. Doctors said 10 years of successful medical treatment had reduced the fear of HIV and Aids.
Increasing levels of HIV infection, as well as an epidemic of syphilis, are taken to be evidence of an increasingly lax attitude towards safer sex. Denmark’s Serum Institute which monitors the spread of HIV and Aids, is working with doctors and Aids organisation on a new campaign to encourage safer sex amongst the gay community.

Poor quality condoms
trigger shortage
At least 10 million defective condoms have been withdrawn from the market in Uganda, leading to a nationwide shortage. Engabu Condoms were withdrawn after complaints of poor quality and a foul smell. The factory that produced them, the Guangzhou Rubber Factory of China, was awarded a £2 million dollar tender by the Ugandan government last April and is contracted to produce 80 million more condoms.

Greying of HIV
Portugal, the nation with the highest HIV infection rate in Europe, is facing a surprising surge in infections amongst the over-50s.The number of over-50s infected by the virus rose by 71 per cent between 1999 and 2003. The increase has been put down to more active sex lives amongst older people, as well as the presumption that HIV is just a risk to intravenous drug users.

Second Mandela Aids concert
Nelson Mandela is planning a second concert to raise money for HIV and Aids in South Africa.
The show, dubbed ‘46664 South Africa’ after Nelson Mandela’s prison number, is planned for 19th March at the Fancourt Golf Resort near George. So far Queen have signed up for the gig and more international stars look set to follow.